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Cats and allergies

Are you allergic to cats or looking to limit cat-allergy symptoms? Find out more about coping with your cat allergy in our expert guide.

Cats and allergies

Are you allergic to cats or looking to limit cat-allergy symptoms? Find out more about coping with your cat allergy in our expert guide.

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What causes an allergy to cats?

While it's commonly thought that cat hair causes allergy symptoms, the truth is more complex. It’s what’s on the hair that's the issue. In fact cat allergies are caused by a protein produced in a cat’s saliva and sebaceous (oil) glands, which is then spread onto the cat’s hair and skin during grooming. Whenever a cat sheds their fur, hair and dander (dead skin cells), the sticky protein attached is transferred into the environment. This often leads to the allergy symptoms you experience, be it coughing, sneezing or watering eyes!

However, cat hair can also act as a carrier of other airborne allergens: pollen, dust mites and mould, which can also cause allergic symptoms in individuals with hay fever, asthma or eczema.

long-haired black-and-white cat lying on blue fabric

Am I allergic to my cat?

Before you suspect that you might be allergic to cats, it is worth mentioning that there are a number of things you could be allergic to. Dust mites, for example, or perhaps you have a case of seasonal hay fever? That said, cat allergies are one of the most common allergies in the UK, particularly for those who also have allergic asthma or hay fever. So how do you know if you are allergic to cats?  

Symptoms of cat allergies

Immediate reactions to cats could include:

  • sneezing
  • itchy skin
  • watering eyes
  • coughing
  • wheezing
  • breathing difficulties
  • a flare-up of eczema
  • skin rash or hives

For many people, the signs are more subtle and it can be tricky to identify the cause of your allergic reaction, particularly if your symptoms are triggered by another factor. Some people are allergic to some cats but not others, as all cats produce their own individual amount of cat allergens.

Want to get a cat but not sure if you're allergic? Try visiting someone that has a cat, or head to a cat adoption centre, to test if cats trigger a reaction.

Can I own a cat if I’m allergic?

Test for allergies to cats

Do you suspect you may have a cat allergy? Before you plan on what to do next, it's important to discuss your allergy with a GP or health professional. This is particularly important if you have other allergic conditions, such as asthma, rhinitis or eczema.

Your GP or health professional may refer you for testing to confirm whether or not you have an allergy to cats. This can be done by a blood test and/or skin prick testing. In some cases, referral to an allergy specialist may be needed.

brown tabby cat with bib of white fur

Can you become allergic to your cat if you weren’t before?

Most allergies occur in childhood or as a teenager. If you’ve previously lived with a cat in your family and didn’t display allergy symptoms, it is likely that you’ll be fine as an adult. However, in rare cases, there is a chance that adults who lived with cats as children can develop allergy symptoms.

Sometimes, when someone has lived with an allergen for a prolonged period (living with a cat as a child, perhaps), they become tolerant to that particular pet. Then, when they are re-exposed to a different cat as an adult, they develop symptoms.

While this is rare, this can explain why some people feel that their allergy symptoms come on quickly with no notice. In addition, different cats produce different levels of allergen, meaning humans can be more or less sensitive to different cats. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to manage your cat allergy symptoms.

I’m allergic to my cat. How can I manage my symptoms in my home?

If you've found out that you do have an allergy, your doctor is the best person to give you advice on managing and alleviating your allergy symptoms. For example, you might benefit from using antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays.

There are also a number of things you can do within your home to keep your symptoms at bay. These include:

  • create cat-free zones in your home. Especially the bedroom
  • open windows for ventilation
  • keep the house clean and vacuum regularly to keep allergens at bay
  • have hardwood floors instead of carpets
  • use blinds instead of curtains
  • install air filters to remove allergens
  • regularly clean where your cat sleeps and wash your cat’s bed regularly
  • move litter trays and cat beds away from air vents
  • avoid being licked by your cat. This will spread allergens to you and could make symptoms worse
  • gently clean your cat with a damp cloth
  • always groom your cat outside
  • after giving your cat a stroke, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly
  • consider feeding your cat special food to help reduce allergens in your home. If unsure which food would be best for them, ask your vet for advice

To find out more about how you can reduce allergens in your home, as well as more information on pet allergies, visit Allergy UK’s website.

Are any cats hypoallergenic?

Despite popular belief, hypoallergenic cats don’t exist. All cats produce allergens, no matter their breed, age or sex. Even hairless cats produce Fel d 1, the major cat allergen. The allergen that is produced in the cat’s saliva is spread onto skin and hair during grooming, and even hairless cats will shed dander (dead skin cells) with allergen on it.

Should I keep my cat if I'm allergic to them?

There is not a single correct answer to this question. But before you decide whether to keep your cat, you must make sure that it is your cat causing the allergic reaction. You don't want to go through the stress and upset of rehoming a much loved pet if your allergic reaction is caused by dust mites.

You have to decide whether the severity of your allergic reaction means you need to rehome your cat.

In some cases, the symptom-easing tips included above are enough to make living with a cat sustainable, but other people find that their allergic reaction makes living with a cat unbearable.

Thinking about giving up your cat?

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